High-ranking black officers sue Minneapolis PD

The five allege racial discrimination and a hostile work environment, especially under Tim Dolan. Two of the high-ranking officers named in the suit were demoted.

By David Chanen and Terry CollinsMinneapolis Star-Tribune

MINNEAPOLIS — Five high-ranking black officers sued the Minneapolis Police Department and its chief Monday over allegations of systemic racial discrimination and a hostile working environment.

Within the past year, two of the officers, Lt. Don Harris and Lt. Lee Edwards, were demoted by Chief Tim Dolan. Harris had been one of the department's three deputy chiefs, and Edwards was in charge of the city's Fourth Precinct, which encompasses north Minneapolis. A third black lieutenant not named in the suit has also been demoted by Dolan.